Capybara and Pudu Are Friends
Monday, July 4, 2005
cortneyandjon in Zoo

We have always been interested in how the Detroit Zoo promotes cross-species habitats whenever possible. Until now, we had always thought that it had been mostly a question of tolerance. For example, the ostrich tolerates the giraffe, so they can share an enclosure. Today, though, we discovered a very special relationship.
capypudu.jpgA docent told us that the zoo's pudu gets depressed when the keepers remove his regular capybara companion. When we visited their enclosure, we witnessed their bond firsthand as they chased each other playfully around in the water. What's really ironic? We are talking about a miniature deer and the world's largest rodent hanging out together. Is this a tabloid headline or a children's story? You decide.

Article originally appeared on Cortney and Jon Ophoff's Family Site (http://www.theophoffs.com/).
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